Hi,
I saw an old movie possible on the Turner Classic movies channel.
It was a black and white old movie. There was a group of young men who are petty thieves / gangsters. The protagonist is also one of them. He may possible be an Italian actor ( or playing an Italian character). There is a girl who runs a cafe / diner or works at one and she teaches them and gives them basic education. The main character also starts to learn and eventually they fall in love. It was a light hearted movie.
It sounds like from that description a Dead End Kids movie, but I can’t recall or find a movie of theirs that would fit that plot. Look up Billy Halop or Leo Gorcey to see if they look like the lead actor. Or John Garfield?